Saturday, October 29, 2016

“Ain’t Misbehavin,’” a musical revue highlighting the songs of legendary
jazz artist Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller, begins a local run with a
preview night performance at 7:30 p.m. today at First Presbyterian
Theater. The show stars, from left, Stefan Phillips, Mikki White, Fatima
Washington and Albert T. Brownlee. (Courtesy of First Presbyterian
Theater)

By Barb Sieminski, nsfeatures@news-sentinel.com

Thursday, October 27, 2016 5:15 AM

Roll back the years to the 1920s when jazz was king and people
thrilled to the syncopated rhythms of various musicians in cabarets and
theaters. One of the most acclaimed American jazz musicians of the time
was Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller (1904-1943), who climbed the ladder of
fame during the Harlem Renaissance.

A multi-gifted singer, pianist, organist, composer and comedic
entertainer, Waller wrote lively hits such as “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and
“Honeysuckle Rose,” both of which were inducted into the Grammy Hall of
Fame. Because of his relaxed style, he excelled in performing Dixieland,
jazz, ragtime, stride and swing toe-tapping melodies.

Thanks to Thom Hofrichter, managing artistic director, and his talented
cast at First Presbyterian Church, “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” a musical revue
highlighting Waller’s music, will be presented beginning this week.

“We’ll be featuring a seven-piece band, which includes a piano, bass
guitar, drum kit, trombone, trumpet, clarinet and the saxophone,”
Hofrichter said, adding that this type of production was not an easy
one.

“Musicals are always a bit of a trial for me since I don’t read
music, or as I like to say, ‘I read music but the same way a
third-grader reads English.’ This performance is completely music; there
is no book or libretto, which is the play part of the revue. Since it
is all music, it is always a challenge for me.”

Did Hofrichter use a music adviser to help with the revue?

“Yes, we were very lucky to have a young man, Kenneth Xiaoling Jiang, a
pianist with a degree from Julliard, so he was essential in helping us
interpret the music,” Hofrichter said.

“This production is a wonderful tribute to the African-American artists
of the early 20th century period. Fats Waller was legendary during the
Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s and he wrote more than 500
songs, many of which are still being sung by current artists.”